SeaSpace, Cornwall: A Family-Friendly Review
For all the facilities and benefits of a chic beach hotel but with the flexibility and freedom of your own coastal pad, look no further than SeaSpace. Cornwall’s first apart-hotel bridges that gap between self-catering and hotel perfectly. Perched above the Atlantic between Newquay and Watergate Bay, it combines apartment-style living with all the perks of a resort, creating a place where families get everything they really need for an awesome UK staycation all under one roof
Here mum of one, Rebecca Cope , who visited with a friend and her daughter, gives her take on SeaSpace and why it’s the ideal spot for a Cornish holiday with kids
Words: Rebecca Cope
Published: 29th June 2026 | Last updated: 1st July 2026
Your most asked questions, answered
SeaSpace: What makes it so good for families?
The first thing that strikes you about SeaSpace is that it doesn’t really feel like a traditional hotel. The huge reception area flows into a stylish social space where locals tap away on laptops, families grab coffees before heading to the beach and surfers wander through carrying boards
Opened in 2024 on the site of the former Sands Resort Hotel, SeaSpace has been designed around modern family travel. The concept is simple: spacious apartment-style accommodation combined with facilities you’d normally only find in a resort hotel
And boy are there are plenty of those facilities. There’s a large heated indoor swimming pool complete with toddler splash area and jacuzzi, five Padel courts, a gym, treatment rooms, outdoor play areas, a restaurant, café and communal spaces designed for everything from remote working to post-beach pizzas
The design deserves a mention too. SeaSpace feels playful and energetic, with bold colours, checkerboard tiles, curved archways and retro-inspired details throughout and a Miami beach vibe. The Art Deco-esque indoor pool, with its striking tangerine and cream chequered tiles, is particularly amazing and instantly became my toddler’s favourite room in the building
Perhaps what makes SeaSpace feel different, though, is its community atmosphere. Locals can become members and use many of the facilities, which gives the place a lively, members-club feel rather than the slightly anonymous atmosphere some larger hotels can have.
Who is SeasSpace for?
SeaSpace has clearly been designed with flexibility in mind. For families with babies and toddlers, there’s enough space to actually function as a family rather than live out of suitcases for a week. Parents travelling with older children will appreciate the sports facilities and easy beach access
It’s also perfect for multi-generational holidays or groups of friends holidaying together. Several of the larger apartments can comfortably accommodate bigger groups while still giving everyone their own space when needed
What's included for families at SeaSpace
This is where SeaSpace really starts to shine. Instead of parents having to pack half the contents of their house into the car, lots of those little essentials are already covered. Toddler toilet seats, step stools and other useful bits can be borrowed from the brilliantly named ‘Spruce Up Cupboard’ found on each floor.
Highchairs and cots are available on request, and thoughtful touches continue throughout the property. There’s games room and outdoor playground and lots of fun sporty things for kids to try out as they roam around the grounds
Forgot milk for breakfast? Run out of butter halfway through making sandwiches? There’s a handy larder near reception stocked with essentials, saving you from an emergency supermarket dash
One of our favourite discoveries was the collection of family games available to borrow from the café. On a drizzly Cornish afternoon, a game of Dobble and a hot chocolate can be every bit as memorable as a beach day
What's the dining set up at SeaSpace?
Every studio or apartment is fully equipped for self catering, with everything you might need. Breakfast, brunch and lunch are also served in the hotel coffee shop, with a special kid’s menu for smaller appetites too. For dinner, you can book a table at Italian-American eatery Tallo, which boasts both indoor and outdoor seating. The menu is predominantly beachside classics, from cheeseburgers to pizzas, while the Sunday lunch is especially good, with all the sharing sides thrown in for free. Kids also eat for free on Sundays too
Where is SeaSpace?
Sitting between Newquay and Watergate Bay means you’re perfectly positioned for beach days, coastal walks and surfing adventures. Surf culture runs deep here and SeaSpace fully embraces it, with board hire available onsite and lessons easily arranged nearby. Even if you’ve never picked up a surfboard before, it’s hard not to get swept up in the laid-back coastal energy
When is best to visit SeaSpace?
Lots of people see Cornwall as very much a summer destination, and SeaSpace really caters to that with its close proximity to the beach and so many outdoor activities. That said, there are things to do if the weather disappoints – including swimming in the heated indoor pool – meaning this place is a great option from Easter right through to October half-term
Rooms & Suites
Our own beach apartment
SeaSpace is Cornwall’s first coastal apart-hotel and has 56 studios and apartments suitable for a range of different family set-ups. Our Large Studio felt far bigger than the word ‘studio’ suggests. We never felt cramped at all, and it worked well for our group of two toddlers and two adults, as it had a king-sized bed and bunk room, with space for an additional children’s bed on the floor. The larger one, two and three-bedroom apartments all feature bigger living areas and are better suited for anyone staying for a longer amount of time and using it as a proper base for self-catering
The bathroom in the large studio features a shower over a bath, making it ideal for little ones, and local toiletries from Land&Water. Decor is modern and fresh, with a bright, airy feel thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows and views of the coast (including the Headland Hotel, famously the setting of 1990 The Witches film) or the countryside, depending on which side of the building you are on
If you want your room cleaned while you are there, there is an extra charge for anything more than a quick spruce. Our top tip would be to book a ground-floor apartment if you’ve got younger kids, as there’s no lifts, just stairs
Childcare & Kid's Entertainment
The dream set up for kids
SeaSpace understands one very important thing: happy children generally mean happy parents. It’s extremely child-friendly. The swimming pool was undoubtedly the star attraction for my little one. The dedicated splash pool is warm, shallow and perfect for younger children, while older kids can enjoy the larger pool
Outside, the pirate ship playground provides plenty of opportunity for adventures and climbing sessions. There is a also a fun little maze and mud kitchen to play in – safe in the knowledge you can chuck everything in the washing machine back at the apartment
On rainy days the indoor playroom comes into its own. It’s not huge, but it’s exactly the sort of space parents are grateful for when Cornwall’s weather decides not to cooperate. There are tons of books, games and toys to keep all ages entertained. A big box of LEGO is always a hit. Or for older kids there’s a table football and a darts board. The playroom isn’t supervised so parents have to keep an eye but it’s a lovely, bright, well designed to place to hang out with your children
Throughout the school holidays they run all sorts of classes and sessions for younger guests to book into such as sensory play sessions in the sunken garden (parents come too) where kids aged from 2 to 10 can try out crafts, messy play and storytelling. There are plenty other offsite events that can be organised by the hotel too such as rock pooling adventures on local beaches and mini football session. Just check the family section of the website to find out what’s on
Then of course tehre are the water sports. The hotel partners local company Wavehunters who offer board hire and surf and SUP lessons. You can hire the latest surfing kit and have it delivered straight to your apartment and SeaSpace guests get a 10% discount
Wining & Dining
The best of both worlds
One of the biggest advantages of staying in an apart-hotel is having options. Every studio and apartment comes with a well-equipped kitchen featuring everything needed for self-catering, whether you’re making a quick toddler tea, packing beach picnics or cooking a full family meal. That flexibility is invaluable when travelling with young children who but when you don’t fancy cooking there are excellent alternatives onsite
The café has become something of a local hotspot and there’s a lovely buzz throughout the day. Mornings start with parents clutching takeaway coffees before beach walks, while afternoons bring remote workers, families and friends catching up over lunch. The food is genuinely impressive too. Breakfast favourites include fluffy blueberry pancakes dripping with maple syrup, smashed avocado on sourdough and generous granola bowls loaded with fresh fruit
For dinner Tallo provides a more substantial offering. Described as Italian-American, it’s exactly the sort of menu families gravitate towards after a day outdoors: wood-fired pizzas, burgers, fresh pasta dishes and generous sharing plates. Sunday lunch deserves special mention. Not only is it genuinely excellent, but children eat free and all the traditional sharing sides are included, making it surprisingly good value
What is there for adults?
Loads for parents too
Although SeaSpace is wonderfully family-focused, adults definitely haven’t been forgotten. The gym is one of the best-equipped hotel gyms we’ve seen in Cornwall, while regular fitness classes offer everything from strength sessions to yoga
The five Padel courts are reportedly the largest Padel facility in Cornwall and are hugely popular with both guests and locals
There’s also a wellness element, with beauty treatments, physiotherapy sessions and spa facilities available when you manage to carve out a little time for yourself. In keeping with their community minded spirt, Seaspace has local wellbeing partners who offer treatments and therapies or you can join in with their popular running club
Want to catch up on some emails quickly? No problem. There are plenty of workspaces available for members and hotel guests with high speed Wifi and smart TVs to link up to. You definitely get the sense that this place understands life is a mix and a balance at all times and that holidays, family time, work and downtime can all somehow blend together
What is there to do nearby?
Days out on your doorstep
One of the best things about staying at SeaSpace is that you don’t have to travel far to find brilliant family days out. Whether you’ve got toddlers who love a paddle or teens who’d rather be on a surfboard, there’s plenty to keep everyone happy right on your doorstep
First up is Porth Beach, just a few minutes’ stroll from the hotel. It’s one of Cornwall’s most family-friendly beaches thanks to its soft golden sand, gentle waves and amazing rock pools that are perfect for little explorers armed with a bucket and net. At low tide, it’s the place to be
If your children are keen to catch their first wave, you’re in the right place. Newquay is Cornwall’s surfing capital, with several fantastic surf schools offering lessons for complete beginners
Need a break from the beach? Head into Newquay town, where you’ll find independent ice cream shops, quirky surf stores and plenty of cafés for a pit stop. The harbour is always buzzing too, with fishing boats coming and going and crabbing proving surprisingly addictive for younger children
Newquay Zoo is a fun outing. Home to everything from red pandas and lions to playful penguins. It’s compact enough to explore in a few hours, making it an easy day out without overtiring little legs. Just down the road, Blue Reef Aquarium lets you walk beneath sharks and rays before getting hands-on in the interactive rock pool exhibits
For something a little different, hop aboard a wildlife boat trip from Newquay Harbour. If you’re lucky, you might spot seals, dolphins or even basking sharks during the summer months
Our verdict
SeaSpace feels like a glimpse into the future of family holidays. It combines the flexibility and freedom families crave with the facilities and atmosphere that make a trip feel special. We loved the stylish design, the excellent food and the genuinely family-friendly touches that made travelling with toddlers noticeably easier. Most of all, though, we loved how relaxed it felt. There was no pressure to dress up for dinner, no awkwardness about bringing children into communal spaces and no sense that families were simply tolerated. Instead, SeaSpace feels built around the realities of modern family life and that’s something most parents will find really appealing
Themes: The Best Family-Friendly Hotels in the UK with Kids’ Clubs; The UK Family-Friendly Edit
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